Weighing-machine



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F. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

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F. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MACHINE.

'No. 600,032. Patented Mar. 1,1898.

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P. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

N0. 600,032. Patented Mar. 1,1898.

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FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

WElGHlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,032, dated March 1,1898.

Application filed October 26, 1897. Serial No. 656,457. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inWeighing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to weighing machines, the object thereof being toprovide an improved machine of this character in which the material fromthe supply mechanism is positively prevented from entering theloadreceiver during the discharge of a load, this result being obtainedby shifting the va1veactuator into position to prevent the opening ofthe supply-valve, which operation is effected by the closer mechanismconcurrently with the opening of the closer.

My improved machine embodies a supply valve, a valve-actuator inposition to operate the valve, and means cooperative, respectively, withthe closer mechanism and the valve-actuator and serving to shift thelatter on the opening of the closer, thereby to prevent the operation ofthe valve. The closer mechanism consists of a closer proper and a latchfor holding said closer shut, and in the present case the valve-actuatoris connected with the closer, so that as the latter opens the action setforth will immediately follow.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure 1 is a front elevation of a weighing-machine embodying my presentimprovements, and Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are side elevations of the machineas seen from the right in Fig. 1.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

The framework for supporting the different parts of the machine mayconsist of a chambered base or bed 2 and the side frames or uprights 3and 4, bent at their top and connected with the supply-spout H, whichconstitutes a convenient means for supplying a stream of material to theload-receiver of the weighing mechanism.

The weighing mechanism consists of a loadreceiver, as G, and a pluralityof scale-beams B and B for supporting the same. Each of the scale-beamsconsists of a shaft portion 5 and the supporting-arms 6 for theload-receiver, the shaft portions being fulcrumed upon the framework inthe customary manner. Two of the arms of the beams are joined at theiradjacent ends by the link 7, connected with said arms in the usualmanner.

The load-receiver G is supported upon the beams B and B, between theirfulcrums or supports.

The beam B or the shaft portion 5 thereof is provided with therearwardly-extending arm 8, which carries the slidablecounterbalance-weight 9, held in a fixed position by the screw 10.

The spout H is located over the load-receiver G and is adapted to supplya stream of material thereto, the supply being governed or regulated bya suitable valve, as V, of the pan type familiar in this art, said valvebeing mounted to swing under the outlet or opening in the spout H toarrest the supply of material to the load-receiver. Means for actuatingthe valve alternately to close and open the same will be hereinafterdescribed.

The load-receiver has the usual dischargeoutlet, through which thematerial may intermittingly pass and which is normally covered by acloser, as L, pivoted to the load-receiver, as at 12, the axis ofoscillation of the closer being a short distance forward or what isherein illustrated as the left of a line intersecting the center of theload receiver, whereby when the closer is released the pres sure ofmaterial thereon will force it to its open position.

For the purpose of holding the closer shut I have shown a gravity-latchL, having a detent or shoulder 13, adapted to engage the upper end ofthe arm let on the closer to lock the latter shut, as indicated in Fig.2. The latch L is pivoted at 15 upon the load-receiver, and when it islifted relatively to and above the arm 14 the closer will be releasedand can be swung open, as hereinbefore specified.

For the purpose of retarding the shutting of the closer I provide inconnection therewith a regulator-hopper, as R, fixed upon the dischargeedge of the closer, and the latter forms part of one of theregulator-walls, as indicated in the several side elevations. The

outlet of the regulator R is of less area than the inlet, as shown inFig. 4, whereby when the closer is opened and when said regulator iscarried to a position to receive the material from the load-receiversaid regulator will retain sufficient of said material to hold thecloser open until the entire load is discharged.

To shut the closer, it is provided with a counterweight 16.

For the purpose of alternately closing and opening the valve V, I haveillustrated the actuator A constructed to be coupled to the valve tooperate the same and preferably connected with the closer and beammechanism. The valve-actuator A consists of a bar connected at one end,as by a pivotal joint 20, with the longitudinal rod 21, likewiseattached at its lower end to the counterpoise side of the beam B, orthat part of said beam which carries the counterweight 9. The free endof the actuator Ahas a socket 22 adapted to receive a projection 23,extending from the valve-wall, as indicated in Fig. 2, when the valve isopen. The actuator is fulcrumed, as at 24, between its ends to thelongitudinal support or red 25, which rod is pivoted, as at 26, at itslower end to the closer, near the axis of oscillation of the latter, sothat as said closer opens the rod 25 will be drawn downward for apurpose that will hereinafter appear and will be thrust upward when thecloser is shut.

At the commencement of operation, as indicated in Fig. 2,.the valve willbe wide open, and the projection 23 thereof will be seated in the socket22 at the inner or free end of the actuator A. The valve being wide opena stream of large volume will enter the loadreceiver G, and when acertain proportion of the load has been received said load-receiver willdescend, thereby elevating the counterpoised arm 8 of the scale-beam Band consequently the rod 21 and right-hand arm of the actuator A,whereby the opposite arm of said actuator will be lowered, and by reasonof the connection between the actuator and Q the valve V the latter willbe closed or swung under the outlet of the spout II to cut off thesupply, this operation being concluded when the completed load is in thereceiver G, at

which time the projection of the valve will i have passed out of thesocket on the actuator, as shown in Fig. 3. The actuator, after the loadis completed, is pulled down for a short distance, so that theprojection 23 is caused to ride along the straight guide-face of theangular extension 31 on said valveactuator, and by reason of itsconnection with the closer said actuator is pulled downward for somedistance, whereby the valve cannot be opened as the emptying load-1eceiver rises.

I have illustrated for the purpose of tripping the latch L the pin 32,extending laterally froin the arm 33 on the side frame 3, disposed inthe path of the free end of the latch. The latch strikes the pin whenthe load is nearly completed, and as the load-receiver descends for ashort distance beyond this point the upper end of the arm 14 is carriedout of engagement with the shoulder 13, thereby releasing the closer L.

When the closer is released, the pressure of the material in theload-receiver G forces the same open in the manner hereinbeforespecified, and immediately on this operation the rod 25 is drawndownward, as shown in Fig. 4, the actuator being moved in acorresponding direction and carrying the guide-face 30 of the angularextension 31 along the projection 23 of the valve, as shown in saidfigure. The actuator A has at its inner end the lug 35, which is adaptedto strike the pin 23 on the valve when the closer shuts, by reason ofwhichthe valve V can be opened, and as it opens the pin 23 will rideinto the socket 22, whereby on the succeeding operation the valve can beshut by the actuator A, which receives its power from the beam 15. Assoon as the load commences to discharge from the receiver G the latterwill rise, due to the falling of the counterweight 9; but the lug 35 onthe actuator when the receiver reaches its highest position does notquite come into contact with the pin 23 on the valve. The closer is heldopen for a sufficiently long period to permit the entire load to empty,after which it is shut, and as it does so it imparts an upward thrust tothe rod 25, forcing the act-uator A upward,with the lug 35 in contactwith the valve-pin 23, thereby swinging the valve open, this motioncontinuing until the actuator has returned to its primary position,(shown in Fig. 2,) by which time the pin will have been thrust entirelywithin the socket in said actuator.

The operation of the hereinbefore-described machine is as follows: Fig.2 represents the positions occupied by the several parts at thecommencement of operation, at which time the closer L is shut and heldby the latch L, engaging the closer-arm l-l, the valve V being wide0pen,with the pin 23 thereof seated in the socket 22 at the end of theactuator. The valve being wide open a stream of large volume will enterthe load-receive G, and said load-receiver will descend when a certainproportion of the load has been received, the counterpoise 8 of the beaml3 being elevated, which results in raising the rod 21 and theright-hand arm of the actuator A, thereby lowering the opposite arm ofthe actuator and swinging the valve V shut, as shown in Fig. 3. At atime immediately succeeding this point the latch L strikes the pin 32 onthe framework, so that the closer-arm 1t will be moved away from thelatch to effect the release of the closer,which is then opened by theaction of the material thereagainst. lVhen the load is entirelydischarged, the closer is returned to its shut position by thecounterweight 16 and held shut by the latch L, after which the operationis repeated.

Having described my invention, I clai1n- 1. The combination, withweighing mechanism including a load-receiver provided with a closershiftable for discharging the load, of a valve; a valve-actuatorsupported for operation independently of the valve; and a connectionoperatively connected with the closer and extending to the valveactuator, and adapted on the opening'of the closer to shift thevalve-actuator and thereby prevent the opening of the valve.

2. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of closer mechanism controlling the discharge of a load andembodyingalatch; means for tripping the latch; stream-supplying means; avalve; a valve-actuator independent of, and in position to operate thevalve; and a connector cooperative with the closer mechanism andvalve-actuator, respectively, and serving to shift the valve-actuator onthe opening of the closer and thereby prevent the opening of the valve.

3. The combination, with weighing mechanism embodying a load-receiver,of closer mechanism controlling the discharge of the load and includinga latch; means for tripping the latch; stream-supplying means; a valve;a valve-actuator independent of, and in position to operate, andconstructed to be coupled to, the valve; and a connector cooperativewith the closer mechanism and valveactuator, respectively, and'servingto shift the valve-actuator on the opening of the closer and therebyprevent the opening of the valve.

4. The combination, with weighing mechanism embodying a load-receiver,of closer mechanism controlling the discharge of a load and includin alatch; means for tripping the latch; stream-supplying means; a valvehaving a projection; a valve-actuator independent of, and constructed toengage said projection to operate the valve; and a connector cooperativewith the closer mechanism and valve-actuator, respectively, and servingto shift the latter on the opening of the closer and thereby prevent theopening of the valve.

5. The combination, with a load-receiver and its supporting-beammechanism, of a closer for the load-receiver; stream-supplying means; asupply-valve; a "alve-actuator independent of the supply-valve; and aconnection between the valve-actuator and the closer for shifting saidactuator relatively to the valve on the opening of the closer.

6. The combination, with a load-receiver and its supporting-beammechanism, of a closer for the load-receiver; stream-supplying means; asupply-valve avalve-actuator connected with the beam mechanism; andmeans between the actuator and the closer 'for shifting the actuator toa position for preventing the opening of the valve on the opening of thecloser.

7., The combination, with a load-receiver and its supporting-beammechanism, of a closer for the load receiver; stream-supplying means; asupply-valve; a valve-actuator; a rod connected, respectively, with thevalveactuator and the beam mechanism; and a connection between thevalve-actuator and the closer for shifting said valve-actuator on theopening of the closer.

S. The combination, with a load-receiver and its supporting-beam, of acloser for the load-receiver; stream-supplying means; a supply-valveprovided with a projection a valveactuator having a socket at one end toreceive the projection and connected with the scalebeam; and means forsupporting the valveactuator between its ends.

9. The combination, with a load-receiver and its supporting-beammechanism, of a closer for the load-receiver; stream-supplying means; asupply-valve; a valve-actuator; a rod connected with the beam mechanismand to one end of the actuator; and a second rod connected with thecloser and also with the actuator intermediate the ends of the latter.

10. The combination,with a load-receiver, of a plurality ofsupporting-beams therefor one of which has a rearwardly-extendingcounterweighted arm; a supply valve; a valve-actuator; a rod connected,respectively, with the actuator and the counterweighted arm; and asupport on which the actuator is f ulcru med.

11. The combination, with a load-receiver and its supporting-beammechanism, of an oscillatory closer for the load receiver;stream-supplying means; a supply-valve; a valve-actuator independent ofthe valve; and a rod connected with the actuator and also with thecloser, the point of connection with the closer being adjacent to theaxis of oscillation of the latter.

12. The combination, with weighing mechanism embodying a load-receiver,of a closer for the load-receiver; a supply-valve; an actuator for thesupply-valve, having a socket at one end and also provided with a lugadapted to engage the valve; and a connection between the actuator andthe closer for shifting the actuator on the opening of the closer.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS.

W'itnesses:

F. N. OHAsE, FRED. J. DOLE.

IIO

